Article: Zebra Extends Logistics Capabilities with Navis Acquisition

Oct. 18, 2007
Best known as a supplier of on-demand specialty digital printing and automatic identification systems Zebra Technologies describes itself as helping companies

Best known as a supplier of on-demand specialty digital printing and automatic identification systems Zebra Technologies describes itself as helping companies identify, locate and track assets, transactions and people. The Navis Holdings, LLC, $145 million acquisition supports Zebra’s strategy.

Located in Oakland, CA, Navis provides solutions for managing logistics, assets, inventories and cargo flows, particularly for marine terminals and other supply chain cargo operations. Navis has more than 450 operating user sites in 50 countries.

With headquarters in Crailsheim, Germany, proveo AG offers hardware and software systems for real-time requirements of airport ground handlers. Price of the acquisition is $16.3 million in cash.

The $126 million acquisition of WhereNet earlier this year brought Zebra real-time locating system (RTLS) technology for asset management to augment its bar code and passive RFID smart label capabilities. Both deals should be final in the fourth quarter of this year.

“Navis is an excellent platform for Zebra to provide end-to-end solutions that help its customers identify, locate and track assets through the supply chain,” explains Anders Gustafsson, Zebra’s CEO. “It complements the real-time location and GPS capabilities of WhereNet and proveo. Together, these companies give Zebra the ability to deliver more high-value applications to customers in transportation, distribution and logistics. Our ability to combine software systems with integrated real-time RFID, RTLS and GPS asset identification will position Zebra as a more valued strategic technology provider.”